Hybrid fighting cage/boxing ring

ABSTRACT

An enclosure for fighting competitions, training and sparring having characteristics of both a cage and a boxing ring is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is envisioned for training environments where there is not enough space to have both a complete cage and a complete ring. Many important characteristics are further provided to make the enclosure structurally sound and safe for fighting enthusiasts to include a plurality cantilevered members wielded to a post joining a ring portion to a cage portion. Additional, a novel turnbuckle design is providing for stability of the enclosure. A specially designed safety pad is also disclosed.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This patent application claims benefit of the priority date of U.S. Prov. Pat. App. Ser No. 61/433,841 filed on Jan. 18, 2011, entitled BOXING AND MIXED MARITIAL ART TYPE EQUIPMENT, accordingly, the entire contents of this patent application is hereby expressly incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains generally to sports equipment. More particularly, the present invention relates to training in the areas of mixed martial arts (MMA) and boxing. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is more particularly useful as a hybrid fighting cage/boxing ring.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Currently, a growing number of sports enthusiast are spectating and participating in fighting sports such as mixed martial arts (MMA) and traditional boxing. The enclosure where opponents compete is conventionally a “ring;” and more recently “cages,” for example the octagon, have been introduced specifically for MMA competition. Each contain a rope or fence area, respectively, to contain the fighting action and protect spectators while also allowing for a reasonable view thereof.

An early example of a fighting enclosure was awarded patent protection in 1955, entitled “Knock-Down Platform Construction,” to Nally, U.S. Pat. No. 2,726,866 that comprises a more convention ring popular for boxing and professional wrestling. Cages were later developed presumably because MMA opponents grapple and roll around on the ground more; and therefore the traditional constraining ropes would do little to contain the action to the ring. The present invention however, focuses on the problem of space constraints particularly in a training environment. U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,638 entitled “Portable Retractable Sports Enclosure,” to Havens et al. somewhat addresses this concern. However, the structural integrity of this solution is suspect.

In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fighting enclosure suitable for MMA and boxing training to environments where space is a concern and where separate cages and rings are not feasible. It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an enclosure that is sturdy and structurally sound. Yet further it is another object of the present invention to address safety concerns of both participants and spectators. Still further, the present invention seeks to provide a hybrid fighting cage/boxing ring that can accommodate both boxing and MMA competition.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates the above mentioned deficiencies associated with the prior art. More particularly, the present invention in a first aspect, is an apparatus providing a training enclosure for a fighting competition comprising: a floor structure forming a base of the enclosure; a cage portion including a chain link fence coupled to the floor structure; and a ring portion, including a plurality of ropes, the ring portion further coupled to the floor structure and the cage portion.

The apparatus providing a training enclosure for a fighting competition in this aspect is additionally characterized as having a plurality of primary posts defining a height of the enclosure; and a plurality of secondary posts providing support for the floor structure. More specifically, the plurality of primary posts further comprises a first primary post comprising a plurality of turnbuckles corresponding to the plurality of ropes. A second primary post is located lengthwise across a front of the enclosure with respect to the first post. And finally, a third primary post located depthwise across a side of the enclosure with respect to the first post, wherein the second and third posts together with the first post secure the plurality of ropes. The plurality of turnbuckles maintain a tension to the structure.

The invention is additionally characterized as comprising a plurality of beams underneath the cage/ring providing support to the floor structure. Also, a cable connected between two of the plurality of primary posts is provided, the cable further connected via a stabilizing turnbuckle to provide a countervailing force with respect to the plurality of turnbuckles connected to the plurality of ropes. The floor structure is elevated to provide area underneath to accommodate this turnbuckle and cable feature.

The apparatus providing a training enclosure for a fighting competition is further characterized wherein the plurality of ropes connect to the second post via a corresponding plurality of cantilevered members, the plurality of cantilevered members further having a ring about an end thereof, the ring coupled to a padded ring at an end of each of the plurality of ropes, wherein the training enclosure further comprises a specially designed five-sided pad. The invention may be described herein as including a five-sided polygonal structure; and four equal lengths of chain link fence.

In still another aspect, in invention is an apparatus providing a training enclosure for a fighting competition comprising: a floor structure forming a base of the enclosure; a cage portion including a chain link fence coupled to the floor structure; and a ring portion, including a containment rope, the ring portion further coupled to the floor structure and the cage portion via the containment rope and cantilevered member at a junction joining the cage portion and the ring portion.

The apparatus in this aspect providing a training enclosure for a fighting competition is additionally characterized as having a primary post defining a height of the enclosure; and a secondary post providing support for the floor structure, wherein the primary post comprises an upper turnbuckle and a lower turnbuckle, the upper turnbuckle maintaining tension in the containment rope and the entire enclosure, the lower turnbuckle providing a countervailing force to the upper turnbuckle.

These, as well as other advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description and drawings. It is understood that changes in the specific structure shown and described may be made within the scope of the claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

While the apparatus and method has or will be described for the sake of grammatical fluidity with functional explanations, it is to be expressly understood that the claims, unless expressly formulated under 35 USC 112, are not to be construed as necessarily limited in any way by the construction of “means” or “steps” limitations, but are to be accorded the full scope of the meaning and equivalents of the definition provided by the claims under the judicial doctrine of equivalents, and in the case where the claims are expressly formulated under 35 USC 112 are to be accorded full statutory equivalents under 35 USC 112. The invention can be better visualized by turning now to the following drawings wherein like elements are referenced by like numerals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:

FIG. 1A is a front perspective illustration of a first preferred hybrid fighting cage/boxing ring of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a rear perspective view of the first preferred hybrid cage/ring;

FIG. 2A is a first schematical floor plan of the first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2B is floor plan similar to that of FIG. 2A, however providing a variation according the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a closer view of an intersection of a ring and a cage portion of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is an additional close-up view the intersection of FIG. 3A; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a turnbuckle cable connection of an underneath portion of the cage/ring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. Broadly, embodiments 10, 29 of the present invention generally provide a hybrid fighting cage and boxing ring. Initially, with regard to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, front and rear perspective views of an exemplary training enclosure 10 that allows for half striking training and half mixed martial arts training are shown. The hybrid enclosure 10 is half boxing ring 20, half fighting cage 30, and is intended primarily for training environments where there is not enough space to have both a complete cage and a complete ring. A first corner 11 is a classic boxing ring corner, with boxing ropes 21 attached to a structural post 11 and tightened with turnbuckles 22. The opposite corner 14, 15 is formed by three or more joined cage sections 31 (supported by padded corner posts) in the same way that three sides of an octagon shape form a rounded corner.

Further with regard to FIG. 2A, the enclosure 10 has an outer frame that includes a plurality of primary posts 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 defining a height of the enclosure. One or more secondary posts 16, 17 are provided for additional support to the floor structure 19. The first primary post 11 has one or more (upper) turnbuckles 22 that maintain tension to the containment ropes 21 while also helping provide a structurally sound enclosure 10 as further detailed herein. Also as shown, a second primary post 12 is located lengthwise across the front of the enclosure with respect to the first post 11; and a third primary post 13 located depthwise across a side of the enclosure 10, 29, this forming the ring portion 20 (FIG. 2B). The boxing containment ropes 21 attach to the primary posts 12, 13 in the other two corners. The floor structure 19 and the posts 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 are bolted together.

The floor plan illustrated in FIG. 2A also includes beams 42 shown as dashed lines that provide structural support to the elevated floor 19. Also the beams will have reliefs that allow cables 41 underneath to pass through. The cables 41 provide a countervailing force to the ropes and turnbuckles that impart forces to the upper part of posts 11, 12, 13. The cables, forming an X-pattern as shown, are connected via lower turnbuckle 42 (FIG. 4).

Further with regard to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the cage portion 30 herein comprises a plurality of lengths of chain linked fence 31. The embodiments 10, 29 illustrate either three or four lengths 31 employed. It can be seen the first embodiment 10 is more rectangular in shape as may be desired by a user.

With regard to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the area where the boxing ropes 21 join the cage posts 12, 13 is protected by specially designed padding 32 (FIG. 1A and FIG. 3B). In the preferred embodiment 10, 29, the pad is a five-sided polygon structure designed to fit into a corner 12. As illustrated, ropes 21 connect to the second 12 (and third 13) post via a corresponding plurality of cantilevered members 33 wielded to the post 12. In turn, the cantilevered members 33 further have a ring 34 about an end thereof. And further, the ring 34 is coupled to a padded ring 35 at an end of each of the plurality of ropes 21.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed in above even when not initially claimed in such combinations.

While the particular Hybrid Fighting Cage/Boxing Ring as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. 

1. An apparatus providing a training enclosure for a fighting competition comprising: a floor structure forming a base of the enclosure; a cage portion including a chain link fence coupled to the floor structure; and a ring portion, including a plurality of ropes, the ring portion further coupled to the floor structure and the cage portion.
 2. The apparatus providing a training enclosure for a fighting competition of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of primary posts defining a height of the enclosure; and a plurality of secondary posts providing support for the floor structure, and wherein the plurality of primary posts further comprising: a first primary post comprising a plurality of turnbuckles corresponding to the plurality of ropes; a second primary post located lengthwise across a front of the enclosure with respect to the first post; and a third primary post located depthwise across a side of the enclosure with respect to the first post, the second and third posts together with the first post securing the plurality of ropes, the plurality of turnbuckles maintaining tension thereto.
 3. The apparatus providing a training enclosure for a fighting competition of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of beams underneath and providing support to the floor structure.
 4. The apparatus providing a training enclosure for a fighting competition of claim 2 further comprising a cable connected between two of the plurality of primary posts, the cable further connected via a stabilizing turnbuckle to provide a countervailing force with respect to the plurality of turnbuckles connected to the plurality of ropes, and further wherein the floor structure is elevated to provide area underneath to accommodate the turnbuckle.
 5. The apparatus providing a training enclosure for a fighting competition of claim 2 wherein the plurality of ropes connect to the second post via a corresponding plurality of cantilevered members, the plurality of cantilevered members further having a ring about an end thereof, the ring coupled to a padded ring at an end of each of the plurality of ropes, wherein the training enclosure further comprises a specially designed five-sided pad.
 6. The apparatus providing a training enclosure for a fighting competition of claim 1, the enclosure further comprising: a five-sided polygonal structure; and four equal lengths of chain link fence.
 7. An apparatus providing a training enclosure for a fighting competition comprising: a floor structure forming a base of the enclosure; a cage portion including a chain link fence coupled to the floor structure; and a ring portion, including a containment rope, the ring portion further coupled to the floor structure and the cage portion via the containment rope and cantilevered member at a junction joining the cage portion and the ring portion.
 8. The apparatus providing a training enclosure for a fighting competition of claim 7, further comprising: a primary post defining a height of the enclosure; and a secondary post providing support for the floor structure, wherein the primary post comprises an upper turnbuckle and a lower turnbuckle, the upper turnbuckle maintaining tension in the containment rope and the entire enclosure, the lower turnbuckle providing a countervailing force to the upper turnbuckle.
 9. The apparatus providing a training enclosure for a fighting competition of claim 7 further comprising a plurality of beams underneath and providing support to the floor structure.
 10. The apparatus providing a training enclosure for a fighting competition of claim 7, the cantilevered member further having a ring about an end thereof, the ring coupled to a padded ring at an end of the containment rope, wherein the training enclosure further comprises a specially designed five-sided pad.
 11. The apparatus providing a training enclosure for a fighting competition of claim 7, the floor structure comprising a five-sided polygon. 